Dhaka, Nov 13 (bdnews24.com) -- If legendary Indian batsman Sunil Gavaskar never wore a helmet while batting against even the most dreaded pacemen of his era, his reading habit had a role in it, reports PTI.
Gavaskar, one of the greatest opening batsmen in Test cricket, use to wear a specially designed headgear to protect his skull.
Elaborating the strange reason for his not wearing a helmet, Gavaskar said, "I had a habit of reading before I sleep and on most occasion slept while reading. My neck muscles got weakened due to this and I feared that my reflexes would slow down while facing a bouncer (if I wore a helmet)."
He was speaking at a felicitation function for him and brother-in-law and former team-mate Gundappa Vishwanath.
"I remember Imran Khan (former Pakistan skipper), who is also a good friend, advising me to wear a helmet saying every batsmen will miss a ball one day, wear a helmet.
"Soon after facing a delivery from Malcolm (Marshall), who was bowling round the wicket, I was hit here (indicating his forehead), which convinced me to wear one. But a corner of my mind still said that this was the one ball which was now over," Gavaskar said.
Gavaskar said that he was convinced after suffering that blow that it was first and last blow so he decided to continue batting without wearing a helmet.
Gavaskar also said that if he gets another birth, he would like become a fast bowler.
bdnews24.com/lg/2030h
